One of the world’s most famous ships, the Royal Yacht Britannia was launched at John Brown’s Shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland in 1953. During that time Britannia carried The Queen and the Royal Family on 968 official voyages, from the remotest regions of the South Seas to the deepest divides of Antarctica. Britannia w sailed the oceans for 43 years and 334 days, travelling a total of 1,087,623 nautical miles, calling at over 600 ports in 135 countries.
In December, 1997, Britannia was decommissioned and is now permanently moored in Edinburgh’s historic Port of Leith.
Today, visitors such as Gerry and Gwen Saubak of Bashaw, Alta., and their daughter Holly along with her husband SSGT Steve Sorbie and grandson Logan (who all currently reside at Hermitage, England, as Steve is serving with the British Armed Forces) can discover what life was like on board the ship for the Royal Family and crew.
Photo courtesy Gwen Saubak